overbalance

[ verb oh-ver-bal-uhns; noun oh-ver-bal-uhns ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·bal·anced, o·ver·bal·anc·ing.

1. to outweigh:

   The opportunity overbalances the disadvantages of leaving town.

2. to cause to lose balance or to fall or turn over:

   He accidentally overbalanced a vase.

noun

1. an excessive weight or amount.
2. something that more than balances or more than equals:

   An overbalance of imports depleted the country's treasury.

overbalance

verb

1. to lose or cause to lose balance
2. tr another word for outweigh

noun

1. excess of weight, value, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of overbalance¹

First recorded in 1600–10; over- + balance

Example Sentences

“There was an economy that probably wasn’t balanced, but wasn’t horribly overbalanced in one direction — then that became horribly unbalanced.”

From The Verge

The match was closed out on the 17th despite a quite sensational shot from Spieth, who nearly ended up running into the lake as he overbalanced while playing from heavy rough.

From BBC

We see a robot falling on the last step of a banked turn; another face-plants as it overbalances and slips on nothing.

From New York Times

The New Zealander overbalanced on her opening weight of 120 kilograms, taking the bar behind her shoulders.

From Washington Times

Hubbard overbalanced on her opening weight of 120 kilograms, taking the bar behind her shoulders.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bump
• collapse
• collide
• ditch
• dive
• drop
• hurtle
• meet
• overturn
• plunge
• slip
• smash
• topple
• tumble